5 Lessons I've Learnt Through 2 Years of Blogging

I've been blogging officially now for over 2 years, (Oct. 2013) and last year, when I celebrated my first year, I talked a little about my achievements and the people who impacted and supported me throughout the experience. I knew I wanted to somehow share and celebrate this special event with you, after all, I did talk about how you should celebrate your blogging milestones, it'd be wrong of me not to, but for the longest time, inspiration failed me. What could I say that hadn't already been said, either by me, or by others celebrating their own milestones? Should I thank everyone again and risk sounding repetitive, or should I just let the occasion go by? After much soul searching, I knew I wanted to share some lessons I've learnt, lessons you may not have seen previously from other bloggers, and of course, share a few snazzy statistics.

Don't Be Afraid of Changing Your Blog, Even in Big Ways

When I celebrated my first year of blogging, I was blogging on Book Badger, and within that time, I've dipped my toe into co-blogging on Beautiful Bookish Butterflies, and made the transition back into a one man band here at Nellie and Co, and those were some HUGE changes. I've had 3 blog names, 3 different designs and completely changed the kind of content I publish - all of which are scary prospects. Changing your blog name is probably one of the biggest fears in the blogging community, but if the name you have just isn't working for you, why stick with it? Same goes for blogging on your own; if you really feel that co-blogging is the right route for you (bare in mind, it's not as easy as having less responsibilities and content, you still have to work hard) then take the leap, don't feel swallowed whole by a blog you no longer love. Chances are, if you don't love your blog, it shows, and others won't either.

Don't be intimidated by the big changes that all bloggers consider at least once. Switch up your content slowly if you're unhappy with what you're posting, change your name and re-brand if you really want a fresh start, and if need be, start up somewhere else like I did with Nellie and Co. and blog how you want to. The big changes are only as scary as you let them be.

My Co-Blogging Story and Why I Went Back Solo

When I approached Stacie in 2014 about the prospect of co-blogging, the adventure sounded exciting. It meant I'd be able to hold back a little on my daily posting, I'd have time for other things, for other people, for something aside from my blog, and no matter how much I loved Book Badger, I realised I needed more in life, and co-blogging provided that for me. So why, 6 months down the line, did I decide that co-blogging was no longer for me, and what have I actually learnt from the experience? I intend to answers those questions today.


I would like to make something clear before I go into detail about my experiences - co-blogging, while fun and exciting, is not an easy out for people looking for less responsibility, it's just as demanding and requires much more organisation and planning than blogging alone, neither is it something you should be afraid of pulling out of; if your co-blogger(s) appreciate you and everything you've done together, they will understand should you wish to take on a solo adventure. Remember this when deciding which blogging route is right for you.

Co-blogging with Stacie was a one of a kind experience.

Was it without it's issues? Of course not. The minute you start mixing things together, whether that be colours, chemicals, emotions or people, there's bound to be a few stumbling blocks, and while I wouldn't say that Stacie and I encountered stumbling blocks, we definitely learnt the hard way how co-blogging can not only impact your blogging experience, but also your real life ones too.